Pimbwe in Tanzania
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| People Name: | Pimbwe |
| Country: | Tanzania |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 94,000 |
| World Population: | 94,000 |
| Primary Language: | Pimbwe |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 80.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.05 % |
| Scripture: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | No |
| People Cluster: | Bantu, Central-Tanzania |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Pimbwe live in the Rukwa Region of western Tanzania. They are defined by their language.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Traditionally, the Pimbwe were fishermen and hunters who lived in what is now known as the Katavi National Park. Many of them still fish and hunt, but they also herd goats. Today their homeland is south of the park. They usually farm, growing millet, maize and cassava. The Pimbwe people are challenged to practice sustainable farming and to ensure they have an adequate water supply.
Their lifestyle is being altered by the forces of modernization and globalization. The younger generation is forgetting the ways of their grandparents causing a rift in their families. They live in villages with many other ethnic groups, causing their traditions to be dissolved even further.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Traditionally the Pimbwe were animists who worshipped a sun god named Ilyuba. Ilyuba was the creator of life and they depended on him for prosperity. Katavi was the god who controlled rain, so they gave him special homage. Villages had their own deities to whom they made sacrifices at sacred sites to avoid hunger or disease.
Today the Pimbwe are mainly either Muslim or Roman Catholic, though there are Evangelicals among them.
What Are Their Needs?
The Pimbwe people need to find ways to sustain a living either by agriculture or by more urban work. Because of massive changes in their community during the last 60 years, they must find ways to keep their families together. Grandparents and grandchildren live in completely different worlds.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Lord to show himself powerful and loving by helping the Pimbwe people prosper economically and spiritually.
Pray for the Lord to strengthen Pimbwe families.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among the Pimbwe that will drive them into the loving arms of Jesus.